Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 63: Redemption

Chapter 63: Redemption

We appear at the Feltatus docks, and immediately hurry for the hospital, out of time as it is. As we run, it feels like a whole mile lasts an eternity. I can’t help but wonder why Signas would order one of his members to help us. It makes no sense to me. Probably just trying to screw with my head, which I don’t really need at the moment.

When we spy the hospital, we pour on the speed, and burst through the doors, Mom demanding to see Alexander. The head doctor tries to calm her down, unsuccessfully.

“Calm down your highness! Alexander hasn’t woken up yet, but I can promise that won’t last much longer. Come with me.” He turns and walks to the infirmary ward, and we anxiously follow him.

I hope this will work…

We arrive in Alexander’s room, and Wintress gasps at the sight of him lying there unconscious. He looks paler then when we left him, beads of sweat are on his face. I eye a heartbeat monitor, which shows a very weak, slow heart rate. I hear a faint exhale from him, and he weakly opens his eyes, just a little bit. He doesn’t seem to notice Wintress, but DOES notice me.

“Why….why am I not dead yet…” He croaks in a low rasping voice. I huff a little, then stride right up to him and smack him on the head.

“Wake up, you jerk. I brought someone you need to see.” My tone irritates him, and he just turns his head from me.

“Whoever it is, they can’t be important.” I growl in frustration.

“So your long dead wife back from the grave isn’t worth the time of…” He cuts me off with a growl.

“What. Are you talking about?” He manages to hiss.

“Step closer so he can see you, Wintress.” She hesitantly comes closer, and speaks quite softly,

“It’s me, Alexander.” He may not have seen her, but he sure did hear her. How I knew was obvious, the moment he heard her voice, his heart rate went still for almost a minute before going into rapid fire speed. His eyes snap wide open with shock.

“How…did you…wait… Danica, you little fool….!” He growls in anger, which doesn’t last long, as Wintress tackles him in a fierce hug, and his anger melts down immediately. He smiles warmly at her, and then looks at me, a stern look on his face.

“We’ll have to talk about this, LATER. Now, do me a favor, and GET OUT.”

We happily comply, and when Mom closes the door, I grip her in a fierce hug, crying.

“We did it! I can’t believe we did it!” I sob into her arms, breaking down with relief.

“Oh get a grip, Dani.” She says, but her face tells a different story. “I just want to know… what now?”

Another pair of arms grabs me.

“Now, she owes me big time.” Drasmere’s voice rings out from behind me. I turn and give him an enormous hug.

“DRASMERE! I missed you a lot! I’m so sorry we haven’t had any alone time, I promise I’ll make it up today!” I cry out with intense joy. He smiles.

“Then let’s go, I know a good restaurant where we can eat. You hungry?” I frown.

“What time is it?” He laughs.

“It’s time for lunch, silly. Now let’s go!” He grabs my hand and runs off with me, leaving Mom and the doctor behind.

Elizabeth smiles as the two run off. “My daughter is always doing something…” She sighs, then looks at the doctor and smiles.

“I feel so happy when I see her smile.” He nods, in a rather good mood.

“I am glad to see that Alexander is doing well, Elizabeth.” A dragonling’s voice says from behind her. She sighs.

“Who are you again?”

“Oh, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Ignitus, I am the Red Elder, I came to check up on Alexander, to make sure that you succeeded in saving his life. I’m very thankful that you did. However, I have a serious matter that must be addressed. We’re losing the fight, Elizabeth. The others would object to me saying this publicly, but the truth is, we all need your help. The Insurrection has cut off supplies from the rural farms, and Tom’s forces are cutting us off from the air and sea.” Elizabeth frowns.

“And just when things were getting to a good start again.” He chuckles.

“Don’t go sending for Danica just yet, she needs to relax. She’s earned it. The younglings at this day and age always want to achieve, but they forget about relaxing and just enjoying the simple parts of life. All work and no play is not healthy for someone as young as she. Let her have her fun with that Drasmere child.” Elizabeth nods reluctantly.

“Alexander didn’t really show it, but he is grateful. You gave him his world back, you’ve re-sparked the fire of his soul. Never have I sensed such energy as when he was Wintress, and you gave him back the most important thing you could. Himself.” Elizabeth listens as Alexander and Wintress start laughing about something.

“You’re right. During the war, he would always mock and fool around with me, even in our battles. Always carefree and loose, when he was done fooling around he’d just knock me out and take me home, as embarrassing as it was…” She trails off.

Ignitus laughs. “Yes, that is the one thing I missed about Alexander. He always had such an impish sense of humor. In fact… he always loved causing trouble for couples.” Elizabeth groans.

“He better not.” Ignitus smiles.

“Not even the fear of being thrashed to a bloody pulp can stop an impish Alexander from pulling a prank. You’ll see.”

A very lovely restaurant somewhere nearby…

Our date was going fantastic, and then… Drasmere leans over to kiss me, we almost meet with our lips when… SPLASH!!! Ice cold water douses me from head to toe.

Ice water?!? Who does that to a couple on a date?!?

Then I smell a familiar scent.

“Alexander… YOU FREAKING JERK!!!” I punch in his general direction, hoping to strike him in the face, instead I sail out of my seat and do a faceplant.

Alexander stands over me grinning like a total goon.

“Why hello there, you’re awefully wet.” I growl angrily.

“I hate you.” He laughs like crazy.

“I know.”

Drasmere gives him a dirty look, then picks me up and takes me home, fuming the whole way. I’ll get Alexander back for that later… But first I need to get out of these clothes.